I have been a member of Costco for a few months now, and one of the perks of my membership was enrolling with American Express for the American Express Costco TrueEarnings card. I have my savings account with American Express, and have been using One with only great experiences. I did not hesitate to open an account with American Express for the TrueEarnings card.

-How to Get the Card-

If you want the card, you first need to be a Costco member. This is because the cash rewards you receive act as a rebate certificate for Costco. But what's the best part? The card has no annual fee! Many of the American Express cards have annual fees, but the American Express Costco TrueEarnings is fee-free as long as you keep your Costco membership! When it comes to applying for the card, you should have excellent credit for the card. I know people with average credit that were rejected for the card as well as other American Express charge and credit cards.

-Rewards-

The American Express Costco TrueEarnings offers the rewards as follows:

*1% Every Purchase Including Costco
*2% For Traveling
*3% For Dining Out

The rewards are what really got to me. I was previously using a Chase Freedom Cash Rewards card which gave 3% cash back for fast food/quick-service restaurants. Before looking into the American Express Costco TrueEarnings, I thought that this was by far the best deal from any credit card company. But then I realized than unlike Chase, American Express offers 3% on ALL dining out. This ultimately gives considerably more cash back when eating out at expensive sit-down restaurants. Since I tend to eat out often, the card has rewarded me far better than Chase or any other card provider that I previously had.

The American Express Costco TrueEarnings also offers 2% cash back on travel. This is nice if you travel a lot and spend money on cruises and hotels. Otherwise, I am certain that many consumers tend to buy airfare with a mileage card. I typically book all of my travel with my Chase United Mileage Plus Visa Card. It is more rewarding to book flights with a mileage card then it is to get the simple 2% with the AMEX card. Nonetheless, if you are not enrolled in a milage program with credit card, 2% cash back is double what other banks offer, so you will definitely be rewarded better with the American Express Costco TrueEarnings.

You receive 1% cash back for other purchases. You only receive 1% cash back at Costco, that is why I use my One card when shopping there. I found it interesting that the rewards percentage for Costco is so low, but then again, that's what the Executive Membership is for with its 2% on all purchases at Costco.

-Other Perks-

One of my favorite things about American Express is their customer support. They really give their card members the best possible service, and help when there are problems. I love the Purchase Protection program, which comes free with the card. With this program, you can return an item within 90 days even if the store refuses to do so. I have had excellent luck with this program when I bought a video card as a final sale. I received all my money back (minus shipping) without any problems. Period.

I find the website very easy to navigate, and paying bills could not be any easier! I use online bill pay for my American Express cards. Looking up my statements and other information is very easy to do. I have never had a problem with the website.

I also like the fact that the American Express Costco TrueEarnings card has my picture on the back of it, and acts as my Costco membership card. I have therefore never used my actual Costco membership card, nor had my picture taken for it! I find this to be very convenient. Also, this could help thwart credit card thieves from using your card since it has your picture on the back of it.

-Other Things You Should Know-

I pay my bills in full and do not carry balances. Therefore I do not pay interest for the card. You should read the card member agreement to see what the interest rate will be on the card. If I am not mistaken, I believe that the card has a 25 day grace period. I was once accidentally late one week with a payment since I mistook my TrueEarnings bill for the One bill. I was never charged interest and had no problems with American Express. I have not had problems since, especially since both cards are linked to my checking account with Citibank.

-Conclusion-

American Express is a great company that truly offers great benefits for its card members. The American Express Costco TrueEarnings is absolutely no exception. For a card with no annual fee, it's one powerful card! The card offers the best rewards in its class. No other card will give you 3% cash back for dining out anywhere, the closest competitor is Chase which will only give you 3% for fast food/quick serve restaurants. Also when it comes to travel, by booking an expensive vacation with the card, your annual Costco membership fee will nearly pay itself for most part! The card also gives you the protection of the Purchase Protection program which will allow you to return certain items with ease, even when the store refuses to take it back. American Express also offers great customer support that has always been helpful to me. The American Express Costco TrueEarnings is another great card in the line-up, and if the card fits your lifestyle, then by all means apply for it!

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